Why trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanoes National Park is situated in the northwest corner of Rwanda and is often regarded as the top place on earth to see mountain gorillas. Other parks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo also have gorillas, but Rwanda has gained a reputation for providing the most organized, accessible, and high-quality experience. Besides the picturesque Virunga Mountains, the park is also graced by the presence of some elegant lodges situated along the park boundary, just a few of many reasons why you should put this park at the top of your travel list. This guide unpacks why Volcanoes National Park is the ‘gold standard’ for gorilla trekking
1. Exceptional Accessibility and Short Travel Times
One major reason why tourists choose Rwanda is that it’s convenient. For most people, a safari is just a part of the packed international schedule, and Rwanda makes it so easy to squeeze in a gorilla trek even if you only have a short time.
The Easy Journey: Kigali International Airport is one of the cleanest and most efficient airports in Africa. From the capital city, it’s just a 2.5 to 3-hour journey on smooth, tarmacked roads to get to the park headquarters in Kinigi. This is a big difference with other places where you may have to spend 9 or 10 hours in a vehicle on rough dirt roads. In Rwanda, it is actually possible to land in the morning, take a picturesque drive through the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” and be at your luxury lodge in time for a sundowner overlooking the volcanoes.
2. Breathtaking Volcanic Scenery
The park is within the Virunga Massif, a chain of eight spectacular volcanoes. Volcanoes National Park safeguards five of these: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo.
A Dramatic Backdrop: A forest is really just a small part of what you’re in when you trek here; instead, you are on the slopes of ancient, mist-covered giants. The landscape is awe-inspiring, showing a mix of dense bamboo forests, open grassy areas, and giant lobelia plants. When the sky is clear, the views from the slopes go as far as the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo and the neighboring countries beyond the border. The “mist” that is often seen over the mountains gives the park a magical, prehistoric vibe that makes your encounter with the gorillas even more memorable.
3. A Deep Connection to Conservation History
Go on a trek in Volcanoes National Park and you will basically follow the steps of the celebrated primatologist Dian Fossey. She was there for 18 years studying gorillas and it was also her wonderful book and movie ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ that were set in this place.
The Legacy of Protection: Local people in Rwanda fashioned a triumphant story of conservation from a past marred by tragedy. Picking this park means that you are backing a system that has been able to save mountain gorillas from the brink of extinction. Besides being the home of the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, this park is also a high-end research center where you can learn about the science behind the saving of these great apes.
4.High end luxury and professional service.
Rwanda has made a conscious decision to focus on ‘’high-end, low impact’’ tourist. This means that while the permits are more experience than in other countries, the level of service and accommodation is some of the best in Africa.
World class lodges: Around the park, you will find some of the most beautiful safari lodges in the world including names like Singita, One and Only and Wilderness Safaris. These lodges offer incredible comfort, organic farm to table food, and private spa treatments. Furthermore, the park rangers and guides are extremely professional and often speak excellent English and French. The entire ‘’guest journey’’ from the morning traditional dance performance at the briefing center to the moment you return from the forest is handled with a high level of care and organization.
5. Excellent Tracking success rates.
Because the park is well managed and the trackers are highly experienced, the success rate for finding the gorillas is nearly 100%.
Reliable encounters: The park has 12 habituated gorilla families available for tourism. Every morning, a team of trackers goes into the forest before the tourists arrive to find exactly where the gorillas spent the night. They then radio the location back to the park headquarters. This means that when you start your hike, the rangers already know exactly where the gorillas are. While the hike can still be a physical challenge, you have the peace of mind knowing that you will almost certainly spend an hour with these incredible creatures.
6.Opportunites Beyond the gorillas.
While the gorillas are the main attraction, Volcanoes National Park offers a variety of other activities that allow you to stay for several days.
Golden monkey tracking: these beautiful, rare monkeys are found in the bamboo forests at the base of the volcanoes. They are very active and playful, providing a completely different experience from the calm gorillas.
Volcano hiking: For the tourists who love a physical challenge, you can hike to the crater at the top of Mount Bisoke or take a two-day trek to the summit of Mount Karisimbi.
Cultural experiences: The Gorilla Guardians Cultural Village (Ibyíwacu) is located right outside the park. It is a fantastic place to learn about Rwandan traditions, dancing and medicine from former poachers who are now conservationists.
Summary why choose Rwanda.
Efficiency: Perfect for travelers who want a world-class safari without long travel days.
Scenery: Dramatic volcanic landscapes that are perfect for photography.
Quality: You will be able access to some of the most luxurious lodges on the African continent.
Meaning: this is a way of supporting a conservation model that is world leader in protecting endangered species.
In conclusion, Volcanoes National Park is a wonderful wildlife safari destination; it is a Rwanda’s rebirth and its commitment to nature. If you are looking for a smooth, professional and deeply emotional wildlife encounter there is no better place on earth. Contact our team for more informationa and bookings.